Sunday, June 1, 2014

Dr. Suess said, “Today was good, today was fun, tomorrow is another one.” With fond memories in my heart and more than a few tears in my eyes, I announce that I am leaving Meadow Wood to teach 1st grade at Hunter’s Creek.

Looking back at my blog, I realized, by coincidence, I named it exactly what I wanted to show…Johnson’s Journey. The last 6 years have been an amazing journey filled with incredible friends, creative colleagues, and most of all lots of hard work that has shown its rewards over and over in the faces of the kids I have had the privilege to guide. This journey for me was a secondary plan in life, but after stepping into the role of teacher, I quickly learned it was the only place I wanted to be. So today, as I look to the fun that tomorrow will bring, I would be remiss to not think back about the “where” I have come.

My husband and I put our kids in Meadow Wood 19 years ago, after buying a home in Nottingham Forest. We fell in love with the special school that sat on Memorial and continued to support it even when we had a gap when a Johnson was not attending. I held tons of positions on the PTA, served on THE CAT team as a community member, and then began to sub and eventually teach. In the years here, I have seen 4 principals, great teachers perfect their craft, lost an amazing friend and teacher to cancer, and seen kids grow into responsible adults. What a JOURNEY!

My mom always said, change is a part of life. For me this is always a difficult. I am the person that puts her furniture in one location and doesn’t change it – ever! I thank you for the support and belief you have by entrusting your kids with me. As my journey takes a turn, I will look back fondly on the road that MWE paved in my heart, and look forward with excitement at the road ahead! Please continue to follow my journey at www. johnsonsjournycontinues.blogspot.com.

Wednesday, May 14, 2014

We have spent the last month learning how to research a topic. We started with the trip to the zoo. Students asked questions, made measurements, used observation skills to record their new information. After returning, we used library books, web sites, the Zoo App and much more to write about what we learned. Today we started pulling it all together with a fun App Show Me. I hope you enjoy the ones we have done!

Friday, May 2, 2014

Thursday, May 1, 2014

We are putting fractions into actions...with our bodies! Today we used partners and movement to find a part of the whole group. There were some very creative thinkers. We had to look up the number of teeth in a mouth before we could find the whole group for 1 question! Here are a few examples!

Monday, April 28, 2014

What a great treat at the end of April, FIELD DAY! I sure hope your students came home as tired as I did. We had a great time playing field events, picnic eating and cooling off with snow cones. If you didn't make it up, be sure to ask your students about the scooter races and the traditional kick ball game. Sad to say, for the first time teachers lost - even after we tried a little creative base running. It was a great day - and so nice to be while it was still a little cool!

Thursday, April 17, 2014

Tuesday was Tax Day all over America, even in 1st Grade! The day started with a class discussion about taxes, who pays , what is it for, and why is it important. Students had to pay the tax office. Their tax money was due after lunch. It was a great way to show students some civic responsibility.

Be sure to ask your student how much money they have earned.

Enjoy your long weekend. As for my family, we will rest and celebrate with family!

Monday, April 7, 2014

Students learned about animal adaptations that help us survive. To start out the lesson, Ethan volunteered to get rid of his thumbs, and try some simple task. We later learned about different animals that have adaptations that help them survive. Ask your student about the camel's eyelashes...

Friday, April 4, 2014

Have your students talked about taking a brain break? Everyday in the middle of our morning, we take a 3 minute break to get wiggles and jiggles out. This is a great transition from writing to reading and helps us get ready to focus for the 2nd half of our morning. I thought you would like to see the kids do one of their favorite breaks! So what does the Fox say?

Friday, March 28, 2014

This week we learned how to use a dictionary. Yes, many kids said "just google it". Even my own 25 year old at dinner argued the last time he looked up a word was 2nd grade (the word weather). We talked about why is it important to know how to use a dictionary. Caden said "because you can get eye strain from technology". Eliana said, "if the power goes out and you need to know about a word". I wanted students to use their ABC order and understand how to look up information (a little grit is involved to stay persistent).

If your at school, check out our bulletin board with the new words we learned!

Please take a second to watch Joe, Caden, and Raymond's commercial. I had to upload it to YouTube on a private viewing ability. It was too large to load through the blog. I hope you love it as much as we do!

Monday, March 10, 2014

We have been working on a small research project. Students have been divided into groups and spent time researching what it means to recycle. After they did the research, students wrote a script, designed a setting, made characters and costumes. The goal was to educate and persuade people to recycle. We filmed 1 commercial and hope to get the rest done this week.

Friday, March 7, 2014

Today we were treated to two big treats! We had Mr. Bellows join the day as a Watchdog. He helped fix our Texas Play set. I think he went home tired.

At the end of the day, we were able to watch the 1st Grade OM team perform. We learned that Hanno can do the worm forward and backward! Good Luck to them as they compete tomorrow. We are cheering for all of them, especially Hanno, Raymond, and Aiden.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

The Poets in 1st grade are learning all about special way to use words to make poems. Yesterday was alliteration. Today was onomatopoeia! Look at these great examples with just one day of playing with these words!

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Today we were treated to the SBISD Museum Road Show. Docents from the Altharetta Yeargin Art Museum came into our classes. We learned about art from South America and then had the opportunity to make some of our own. It was great fun. I know the kids loved it because they worked very hard!

Wednesday, February 12, 2014

As adults we just think "it's just that way". We have been using math to make a connection between "just because" and "oh ya". Today we were building numbers and looking at 1 less, 1 more, 10 less, and 10 more! It was great when students realized 1 less from 4 groups of 10 means we have to break a group back into ones! It was a true lightbulb moment!

Sunday, February 9, 2014

DOG - Dad of great students! Every dad in my class is a DOG. We have been lucky to have 2 DOGS join us for a day. Me. Rodriguez was very busy in Thursday, working with kids, laminating, searching the lost and found, and just watching how hard we work.

A few weeks ago Mr Berg joined us. He even got to take part in a fire drill. His comment at the end if the day, y'all are very busy!

Email me if you are interested in being a watch Dog, I will send your information to the right person.

Thursday, January 30, 2014

This week we got a little DIRTy with our learning. We used our observation skills to to observe dirt. Joe noticed that clay is a solid. Nikolas and Katherine recognized that clay was wet and sand was dry. Caden saw little rocks in sand.

I was so proud of the kids. Students were able to use their previous knowledge and apply it to today's learning. They remained focused and on task. Everyday I am reminded that we are really getting ready for 2nd grade.

On a side note, thank you for the birthday wishes. Mrs. Blair and Raymond treated us to some yummy cupcakes to celebrate. I loved each and every card. It truly started my special day off special! I feel loved!

Friday, January 17, 2014

Being an Aggie, I love my traditions and carry that love home. The last few weeks have been spent in Social Studies learning about traditions and cultures. We had a little show and tell time where everyone brought in something that was a family tradition to them.

Here are a few of the things our families do as a tradition...

Raymond - "Every year on Elvis's birthday we go to Chueys'"

Nikolas - "We smash the birthday cake on the birthday person's face"

Dylan - shared about the Dutch Santa

Nicole - showed a doll that wore clothes from Peru (where her family is from)

Joe - told us about the April Fool's jokes that they do every year - I hope I remember to be ready for this one!

JaDona - shared pictures that she colors with her little sister every afternoon

Holly talked about her annual beach trip

Aiden shared an ornament that hangs on their Christmas tree every year.

Katherine and Emerson showed off the Aggie spirit by showing off their parent's Aggie Ring (I have promised to bring mine in - age has made it not fit anymore), and I'm glad to say they both made it home safe and sound!

This was a great way to show off about our families and practice our Oral Language!

Mrs. Johnson

About Me

I am lucky to have the best job(s) in the world. My most important role is mother of 3 wonderful kids (Josh, Jourdan, and Addie). In addition to being a mom, I teach 1st grade in the same district where we live. Needless to say, this is home! First grade gives me a great chance to see children really grow. I was lucky to live in the same house my entire childhood, and love that my husband and I have been able provide that for our family!